Design
The Gen 9 Legion Pro 5i features a familiar design with its grey chassis, clean lines, and Legion branding. While it fits into professional environments, the logo might draw the wrong attention.
The 16-inch IPS display boasts a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, a fast 240Hz refresh rate and HDR support. It delivers vibrant colours and smooth transitions but struggles with monochromatic transitions. While the screen is bright, at 500nits, and supports 100 per cent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, it’s a step back from the Gen 8’s mini-LED PureSight display, which set a higher standard.
The keyboard remains a standout feature with well-weighted, low-travel keys and a full-sized number pad. It’s comfortable for both typing and gaming. However, the speakers disappoint, offering mediocre sound quality with a lack of bass and distortion at higher volumes. The Full HD webcam performs well but lacks Windows Hello support. The chassis is prone to fingerprints.
Performance
Powered by Intel’s Core i9-14900HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, the Legion Pro 5i excels in performance benchmarks. It scored 9,068 in PCMark 10, indicating strong all-around capabilities and delivered smooth gameplay in demanding titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, averaging 127fps at native resolution.
The Legion also achieved solid results in creative benchmarks like Adobe Premiere and Photoshop.
Portability and Battery Life
At 2.5kg, the Pro 5i isn’t light, but it’s typical for a gaming laptop. The 80Wh battery outlasts its predecessor, offering over eight hours in office tasks and nearly seven in productivity benchmarks, thanks to the absence of the power-hungry mini-LED screen.
Value and Verdict
Priced at $4,472, the Legion Pro 5i offers reasonable value but falls short of premium expectations, particularly with the screen downgrade. However, during sales, like the current Black Friday promotion dropping the price to $2,699, it becomes a compelling choice.
Overall, the Gen 9 Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is a capable and versatile gaming laptop but feels like a slight regression from the Gen 8 model. At full price, it’s hard to justify, but sale pricing significantly boosts its appeal and wins it an award.
Overall Score: 3.8 / 5
Sale Price Overall Score: 4.7 / 5
Read the full, Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 9) review, here.
